C♭ Phrygian scale
The C♭ Phrygian scale is a 7-note phrygian scale built on the root C♭. Its notes are C♭, D𝄫, E𝄫, F♭, G♭, A𝄫 and B𝄫. Dark minor mode with a flat second - Spanish, flamenco and metal flavour. This page covers the formula, fingerings, diatonic chords and common progressions that make C♭ Phrygian a great tool for improvising and composing.
Phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. The flat second creates instant tension over the tonic. Built on the root C♭, the scale takes on the specific colour and pitch range of that key - making it especially useful in genres and registers where C♭ is a comfortable tonal centre.
- Notes
- C♭ · D𝄫 · E𝄫 · F♭ · G♭ · A𝄫 · B𝄫
- Formula
- 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m
- Step pattern
- H W W W H W W
- Tonic
- C♭
C♭ Phrygian on the piano
C♭ Phrygian on the guitar
C♭ Phrygian on the staff
Hear the C♭ Phrygian scale
Improvisation drone
Loop the root note as a pad to practice improvising over this scale.
Notes of the C♭ Phrygian scale
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note | Hear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1P | 0 | C♭(Cb) | |
| 2 | 2m | 1 | D𝄫(Dbb) | |
| 3 | 3m | 3 | E𝄫(Ebb) | |
| 4 | 4P | 5 | F♭(Fb) | |
| 5 | 5P | 7 | G♭(Gb) | |
| 6 | 6m | 8 | A𝄫(Abb) | |
| 7 | 7m | 10 | B𝄫(Bbb) |
Diatonic chords of C♭ Phrygian
These are the chords that naturally form on each degree of the scale. Click a chord to open its dedicated page.
Modes from C♭ Phrygian
Each note of this scale produces a different mode with its own character.
How to use the C♭ Phrygian scale
The diatonic chords of C♭ Phrygian are: i = C♭m, II = D𝄫, III = E𝄫, iv = F♭m, v° = G♭°, VI = A𝄫, vii = B𝄫m. These seven chords belong naturally to the key and are the safest harmonic vocabulary when writing songs in C♭ Phrygian. Click any chord below to open its full diagram and progressions.
Phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. The flat second creates instant tension over the tonic.
Practice tips
Lean on the flat second to immediately establish the phrygian sound. Great drill: alternate the root and flat second back and forth as a pedal.
Where you will hear C♭ Phrygian
C♭ Phrygian appears throughout phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. the flat second creates instant tension over the tonic. Listening to music in this scale and transcribing short phrases is the fastest way to absorb its sound.
Formula & step pattern
The C♭ Phrygian scale follows a minor scale with a flat second degree (H-W-W-W-H-W-W). Step pattern: H - W - W - W - H - W - W. Intervals from the root: 1P · 2m · 3m · 4P · 5P · 6m · 7m. Memorising the formula lets you transpose the scale to any other root note quickly.
Questions people ask
- What notes are in the C♭ Phrygian scale?
- The C♭ Phrygian scale contains C♭, D𝄫, E𝄫, F♭, G♭, A𝄫 and B𝄫.
- What is the formula for the C♭ Phrygian scale?
- C♭ Phrygian follows a minor scale with a flat second degree (H-W-W-W-H-W-W).
- Is C♭ Phrygian a major or minor scale?
- C♭ Phrygian is a phrygian scale. Dark minor mode with a flat second - Spanish, flamenco and metal flavour.
- What chords belong to the C♭ Phrygian scale?
- The diatonic chords of C♭ Phrygian are C♭m, D𝄫, E𝄫, F♭m, G♭°, A𝄫, B𝄫m.
- Which genres use C♭ Phrygian?
- Phrygian is the dark, exotic side of minor - think flamenco, metal, hip-hop and middle-eastern music. The flat second creates instant tension over the tonic.
- How do I practise the C♭ Phrygian scale?
- Lean on the flat second to immediately establish the phrygian sound. Great drill: alternate the root and flat second back and forth as a pedal.